"This guy always needs a considerable amount of time to recover with each training session..." At the summit of the deep ravine, Xiao Yixian gazed at Xiao Yan, who was meditating upon a flat rock on the cliff wall, and sighed with a touch of resignation. Since Xiao Yan entered his training state, it has been exactly fifteen days—yet throughout this entire period, he has shown no sign of awakening or opening his eyes. Around him, a powerful and refined energy swirls like mist, thick and viscous, as if it were liquid. Naturally, the two of them could sense that Xiao Yan was in the crucial phase of his cultivation, so though they spoke softly, they made no actual effort to disturb him. "Even Lady Cai Lin has gone still..." Qing Lin said, her eyes fixed on the Nine-Deep Yellow Spring at the ravine's base. A few days ago, the once-boiling lake surface had settled into quiet, returning to its usual calm. And within it, Lady Cai Lin, too, had shown no movement whatsoever. "Cailei should be fine—she is the Seven-Color Sky-Eating Python, and in this Nine-Deep Yellow Springs, she moves as effortlessly as a fish in water..." Xiao Yixian smiled gently. She could feel the terrifying, ancient cold energy accumulating over the years within the Nine-Deep Yellow Springs, steadily flowing toward the deeper parts, likely being absorbed into Cailei's body. "We'll have to wait then. According to the chief of the Yao Ming clan, the Celestial Phoenix clan has already begun showing signs of activity..." Qinglin said. "Xiao Yan should be close now..." Xiao Yixian nodded slightly, her gaze turning toward Xiao Yan, who was seated in the swirling mist. The latter seemed to be gradually calming his breath—clearly nearing completion. Qinglin nodded in agreement and settled herself on the stone, quietly waiting for the end of Xiao Yan's meditation. Within the thousand-foot radius of the deep ravine, the Yao Ming clan had sealed off the area, ensuring no one else would enter and disturb them. And during the following wait, another two days passed quietly... As the third day's morning gradually enveloped the land, the thick mist wrapping around Xiao Yan suddenly surged with intense vibrations. At that moment, as if pulled by an unseen force, the energy throughout the realm erupted violently, sweeping in from all directions, ultimately converging above Xiao Yan's head to form a massive energy storm—its very edge precisely aligning with the top of his skull. "With that single inhalation, the colossal energy storm, stretching hundreds of li in width, surged downward, flowing directly through his throat and fully entering within Xiao Yan's body. 'Crack! Crack!'" As more and more energy was absorbed by Xiao Yan, subtle energy ripples spilled out, violently shattering the surrounding solid mountain walls into countless massive fissures, and massive boulders rolled down with thunderous roars, eventually tumbling into the deep ravine below. "Whoosh!" The commotion unfolding near the ravine naturally drew the attention of numerous powerful members of the Nine-Deep Earth-Mortar Serpent Clan. They all looked utterly astonished, yet, bound by the orders of Yao Ming, they could only stand at a distance of a thousand li beyond the ravine, watching in awe the unfolding spectacle. Several streaks of light flashed from afar and materialized above the deep ravine, revealing Yao Ming and several elder members of the Nine-Youth Earth-冥 Serpents, all of whom now stared in astonishment at Xiao Yan, who was consuming the energies of the heavens and earth. "Such a powerful aura—perhaps Xiao Yan has now nearly reached the level of a Two-Star Domain Saint?" one elder exclaimed in amazement. Yet Yao Ming shook his head, saying, "Though the essence of the Yao Saint is indeed potent, the progression between Domain Saint ranks is far from easy. Reaching the late stage of a One-Star Domain Saint is already an exceptional achievement..." As a Two-Star Domain Saint in the late stage himself, he fully understood the difficulty of each incremental advancement. "Still, the remarkable leap from the early to the late stage of a One-Star Domain Saint—this has surpassed even my expectations." "Yao Ming also gasped in astonishment. If he could gather all the divine saint's essences, he would indeed have a solid chance to swiftly advance to three-star divine saint status. But with just a single drop, he could only be certain of making the breakthrough within three years." "Boom!" While Yao Ming was conversing with several elders in the sky, the immense energy storm was entirely absorbed by Xiao Yan. As the final thread of energy entered his body, the entire realm gradually settled into a serene stillness. "Ah..." A stream of rich, vibrant energy flowed out from Xiao Yan's throat, slowly forming into liquid and cascading down, seeping into some of the towering stones. Instantly, those stones began to become translucent, transforming into jade-like brilliance. "Ah, well done, Xiao Yan! Congratulations on reaching the late stage of one-star divine saint status. You're certain to ascend to two-star divine saint status in no time!" As Xiao Yan completed his meditation, Yao Ming swiftly descended, bowing and laughing heartily. Regarding Yao Ming's congratulations, Xiao Yan offered a polite smile, clenched his fists, and felt quite satisfied. A single drop of Yao Saint's essence had nearly propelled him into the rank of Two-Star Battle Saint—imagine what it would be like if he had fully absorbed all the Yao Saint essences himself; perhaps even matching Yao Ming would have been within reach. With his unique Yihuo, he could maximize the absorption of the energy contained within the Yao Saint essences. The torn garments on Xiao Yan's body had already begun to reform on his skin as soon as he emerged from the mist. At his level, with a mere thought, his battle energy could transform into countless forms. "It seems Cailei is still engaged in cultivation..." Xiao Yan glanced downward at the Nine-Deep Yellow Spring. With his keen perception, he could clearly sense the endless cold energy within the spring surging like a tide toward a massive, central entity—none other than the seven-colored, sky-consuming serpent formed by Cailei. "Master Yao Ming, has there been any news from the Tian Yao Huang Clan?" Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward Yao Ming, smiling. "Yes." Upon hearing this, Yao Ming's smile slightly softened, and he nodded slowly, speaking in a measured tone. "According to the latest information I've received, the Tian Yao Huang Clan will dispatch powerful members to the Void Realm to assist the three Dragon Isles within the coming few days." "They truly intend to get involved," Xiao Yan said with a calm smile, not at all surprised. The members of the Tian Yao Huang Clan have always been persistent—driven by their desire to secure the Dragon-Huang lineage, they would go to great lengths. For the sake of victory, the three Dragon Isles have indeed shown little regard, even willing to welcome such an intrusion. "How many powerful members has the Tian Yao Huang Clan sent?" "Most of the dispatched members are at the Battle Sovereign level. However, the ones worth noting are only three—these three are all the Tian Yao Huang Clan's Supreme Elders, renowned for their formidable reputations within the Beast Kingdom." "Yao Ming spoke with a somewhat serious expression. 'Oh? Which three? What are their strengths?' Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. 'These three Senior Elders are known as the Three Heavenly Phoenixes—the Phoenix, the K'un Phoenix, and the Eagle Phoenix!' Yao Ming explained. 'The Phoenix is a mid-level Two-Star Battle Saint, the K'un Phoenix is a late-level One-Star Battle Saint, and the Eagle Phoenix is a mid-level One-Star Battle Saint.' 'Three Battle Saints,' Xiao Yan noted, his expression slightly shifting. He hadn't expected the Heavenly Phoenix Clan to deploy such a strong force—three Battle Saints in total. From this, one could clearly see the strength of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan. Over the years, these beings had remained relatively humble, quietly accumulating considerable power. Among the three major creature clans in the Beast Kingdom, aside from the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan, the Heavenly Phoenix Clan stands unquestionably as the true ruler. 'These three are exceptionally strong. Together, they can challenge even a Three-Star Battle Saint. If they assist the three Dragon Islands, Eastern Dragon Island might be in serious danger,' Yao Ming added. Xiao Yan nodded silently. No matter what, he absolutely could not allow the Tian Yao Huang clan to intervene—otherwise, Zi Yan's Dong Long Island would truly be unable to compete against the three Dragon Islands. "When will they depart?" Exhaling slowly, Xiao Yan said in a low tone. Though the three Dou Sheng were formidable, they still did not pose a threat that would make Xiao Yan hesitate to act. Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Ming's eyes flickered, and a sense of astonishment stirred within him at the former's boldness—daring to take action even in the face of three Dou Sheng. "They should depart in three days and head toward the Void Realm..." Xiao Yan nodded gently, his gaze fixed on Yao Ming, then smiled. "Would Clan Leader Yao Ming dare to strike and sever the Tian Yao Huang clan's left and right arms?" "Yao Ming pondered for a moment before finally bursting into laughter and nodding firmly. This was a choice—one between the Heavens妖 Phoenix Clan and Zi Yan's Eastern Dragon Island. He had to pick one. While Yao Tian Xiao had chosen the three Dragon Islands, it was he who had chosen the Eastern Dragon Island..." "Then, let us set out tomorrow, heading toward the Void Realm. Three days later, we will strike and eliminate the Heavens妖 Phoenix Clan!" Seeing this, Xiao Yan smiled gently, his voice carrying a clear sense of determination and resolve.